Dispersible particles containing soluble humics and biochar

ABSTRACT

A particle is provided for delivery of humics, and biochar that is water-dispersible into constituent granules. The resulting particles are amenable to broadcast application, for example via rotary or drop spreader. As a result, a dust-free particle is formed that simultaneously addresses the prior art problems of the friable nature of humics and the sooty dusting property of biochar to facilitate ease of handling, broadcast field spreading, and gain the synergistic effects of dosing soil with both humics and biochar. The particle provides improved storage capabilities for materials improving the quality of the delivered material and decreasing negative storage consequences such as odor emanation or degradation. The resulting particles upon dispersion have a pH of between 3.3 and 8.1.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 63/025,239 filed 15 May 2020, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to fertilizer, and inparticular to dispersible particles made with a binder agglomeratedcombination of humic acid and biochar, to afford particles that have ahighly uniform consistency with limited dusting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Practices in agriculture, even in the more developed nations, have beenshown to gradually result in carbon depleted soils that requireincreasing amounts of nutrient input in order to maintain favorableyields. In most parts of the world, the soils have been depleted throughunsustainable cropping practices, including ‘slash and burn’ agriculturethat result in net organic content depletion. This situation practicallyaccounts for desertification, which today affects over one third ofEarth's surface, and is progressing at a rate of 80,000 square miles peryear, according to World Bank estimates. Even in more developed nations,where modern agricultural practice is managed for soil conservation, thevirtually exclusive use of mineral and chemical fertilizers has resultedin carbon depletion, for example, from roughly 5% in the precolonialpast to less than 3% on average in U.S. farming soils. Additionally,abatement of anthropogenic global warming to reduce atmospheric carbonemissions is a secondary benefit with increase in the rate of carbonsequestration into the soil.

Due to a growing realization of the need to return carbon sources to thesoil as well as providing plant nutrients, it is important to improvethe use, safety, efficiency, and desirability of sustainable plant andsoil nutrients for fertilization purposes. Using sustainable plant andsoil nutrients as a fertilization nutrient source using previous methodshas met with limited acceptance owing to problems that include thefollowing. Storage is commonly required when immediate land applicationis impossible such as in cold months when the soil is unworkable.Storage of sustainable plant and soil nutrients materials presents manydifficulties including the emanation of odors, spontaneous combustion,and material degradation due to microbiological action. The variousforms of sustainable soil and plant nutrients as generated are also notcompatible with efficient land application and soil incorporation due tothe various irregular, fibrous, dusty, malleable, adhesive, and/orinsoluble particle sizes and shapes of these substances as they areproduced. These characteristics prevent practical mixtures of thesematerials, and require special applicators such as mechanically complexmanure spreaders and high energy application methods such as soiltillage in an attempt to distribute the materials and incorporate theminto the soil.

Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or syntheticorigin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrientsessential to the growth of cultivated vegetation. Fertilizers typicallyprovide, in varying proportions: six macronutrients: nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur(S); and eight micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu),iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni).Only three other macronutrients are required by all plants: carbon,hydrogen, and oxygen, which are supplied by water (through rainfall orirrigation) and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Compound fertilizersoften combine N, P and K fertilizers into easily dissolved pellets. TheN:P:K ratios quoted on fertilizers give the weight percent of thefertilizer in nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅), and potash (K₂Oequivalent).

Fertilizer application to large areas of cultivated vegetation such asgolf courses, parks, lawns, gardens, and woodlands has generally beenbroadcast application of granular products containing an agent, forexample via rotary spreader. Agents include plant nutrients, fertilizer,and pesticides. Using granular products having particle sizes in therange of about 0.5 millimeter to about 15 millimeters, an operator cancover a large area with minimal distance traversed by the spreaderitself, while applying the granular products relatively uniformly to thedesired area. While efforts have been made to use crystallized ureaparticles alone, urea particles are both hygroscopic and are prone tobreakage with dusting occurring thereafter.

Besides N-P-K values, there is a growing appreciation that fulvic andhumic acids provide a rich carbon source for maintaining and improvingsoil biology including symbiotic fungi and other organisms in the soilbiome that exchange nutrients with the target crop. Fulvic and humicacids have numerous proven benefits for soil and plant health whichinclude: enhanced nutrient efficiency, micronutrient uptake, soilnutrient holding capacity, biological activity, and water holdingcapacity. Both fulvic and humic acids have unique physical and chemicalproperties that contribute to their effectiveness and the way theycomplement fertilizer programs. Fulvic acids are soluble in water andcan be readily absorbed by leaves and roots, making them well suited forfoliar application. Fulvic acids enhance the absorption of nutrients andare well known to chelate trace metals through carboxyl moiety dativebonding and as a result aid in the efficiency of plant metabolicreactions. Humic acids in contrast, are comparatively moderately solubleand have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and enhance the nutrientholding capacity of the soil after application. Humic acid precursorcontains a soluble form of organic carbon which releases into the soil,and prevents nutrient loss by helping balance the carbon to nitrogenratio. Research has shown that organic carbon holds nitrogen in the soiland binds readily with carbon based acids. This increases the amount ofdissolved organic carbon in the soil water. Through biochemicalreactions, humic acid precursor is transformed by beneficial soilmicrobes into humic and fulvic acids. Humic acid molecules chelate manyessential nutrients and help stimulate soil microbiology. Unfortunately,fulvic acid and humic acid tend to be low specific gravity substancesthat are prone to dusting thereby making powdered delivery problematic.Dissolution of these acids for spray application also tend to clog sprayapplicators and also cause soil acidification.

Particles that include dispersible granules (DG) of biosolids or biocharare disclosed in (U.S. Pat. Pub. 2013/0123103) and teaches sphericaldispersing granules that foster granule transit to subsurface regions.Particles of biochar DG have a low moisture content and are resistant tobreakage during handling resulting in a dust free, free flowing product.These particles have the characteristic of being dust-free particlesuntil being wetted and then disintegrating over a span of seconds todays into constituent granules that are sized to penetrate a contactingsoil to carry biochar particulate into the subsoil.

Biochar is a specially produced charcoal that is a by-product ofpyrolysis gas production whereby waste wood, manures, forestry residues,or waste is pyrolysed, or roasted at high temperature in a reducedoxygen atmosphere to drive off volatile gases, these volatile gases canbe used to run engines, boil water, and generate electricity. Theresultant biochar is a carbon skeleton that is devoid of Hodgescarbonyls. Biochar surfaces are normally negatively charged, whichfacilitates the electrostatic attraction of positively charged cationicorganic compounds. The porosity of biochar substantially increases theavailable surfaces of the biochar. For example, a gram of biochar has aBET-measured surface area of 500 to 1300 m²/gram. The high surface areascan be attributed to the retention of the channels present in the plantsfrom which the biochar is formed. Phloem and xylem are exemplary ofplant anatomical features traversed by such channels. Biochar also tendsto be basic in pH, owing to ash content and as a result soil pH can benegatively affected but the pH of biochar ranges from 4.6 to 9.3.

Biochar offers a number of benefits for soil health that are related tothe extremely porous nature of biochar. The porous structure of biocharis found to be very effective at retaining both water and water-solublenutrients. As a result of forming a habitat for microorganisms and theleaching of nutrients into the soil, biochar becomes an extremelyeffective soil amendment promoting good soil and, in turn, the health ofplants growing therein. Biochar has also been shown to reduce leachingof harmful bacteria applied to soil, such as E. coli with variables thatcan be applied to enhance this property including application rate,feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, soil moisture content, soil texture,and surface properties of the bacteria. For plants that require highpotash and elevated pH, biochar can be used as a soil amendment toimprove yield. In addition, biochar can improve water quality, reducesoil emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce nutrient leaching, reducesoil acidity, and reduce irrigation and fertilizer requirements. Forexample, modest additions of biochar to soil reduce nitrous oxideemissions by up to 80% and eliminate methane emissions, which are bothmore potent greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide. Biochar was also foundunder certain circumstances to induce plant systemic responses to foliarfungal diseases and to improve plant responses to diseases caused bysoil borne pathogens. M. Kolton et al., “Biochar-stimulated plantperformance is strongly linked to microbial diversity and metabolicpotential in the rhizosphere”, New Phytol., 213(3), 1393-1404 (2017).

While products have been contemplated that included a slurry or powderapplication of biochar to soil, these products are both cumbersome toapply and not effective in getting the biochar beyond the soil surfaceof the treated area.

Thus, there is a need for a water dispersible particle made with acombination of humic acid and biochar to afford granules that have ahighly uniform consistency with limited dusting that enable the biocharto penetrate the soil surface into proximity with the root system oftarget plants and interact synergistically with humics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A water-dispersible material is provided that is formed of particles.The particles include biochar granules present from 5 to 80 percent bytotal weight of the dry weight of the particle, and humic granulespresent in an amount to define a weight ratio of from 0.05 to 4.0:1 ofthe biochar granules to the humic granules. A binder component is alsopresent that forms a matrix retaining the biochar granules and the humicgranules together to from the particle having a mean particle domainsize. The biochar granules, the humic granules, and the binder componentare present in a form such that contact with water causes particledispersion into more than 100 pieces in a time period of up to 12 hours.

A process is provided for promoting growth of a target plant. Theprocess includes spreading the water dispersible material describedabove on soil in which the target plant is growing, wetting thematerial, and allowing the material to disperse into the soil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an inventive granule;

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of a prior art, comparative treatedlawn showing little to no downward movement of the biochar with much ofthe biochar still sitting in the thatch layer or sitting on top of thesoil layer; and

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of a treated lawn according to thepresent invention showing the downward movement of the biochar below thethatch layer and the soil layer using dispersible granules in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel form of a particle for deliveryof humics, and biochar that is water-dispersible into constituentgranules. The resulting particles are amenable to broadcast application,for example via rotary or drop spreader. As a result, a dust-freeparticle is formed that simultaneously addresses the prior art problemsof the friable nature of humics and the sooty dusting property ofbiochar to facilitate ease of handling, broadcast field spreading, andgain the synergistic effects of dosing soil with both humics andbiochar.

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of theinvention, its application, or uses, which may, of course, vary. Theinvention is described with relation to the non-limiting definitions andterminology included herein. These definitions and terminology are notdesigned to function as a limitation on the scope or practice of theinvention but are presented for illustrative and descriptive purposesonly. One of ordinary skill in the art readily understands that theindividual components of the inventions are interchangeable and theirdescription with respect to a single embodiment does not preclude theiruse in alternative embodiments.

As used herein, the term “humics” refers to humic acid, fulvic acid, andsalts thereof such as sodium, potassium, and calcium salts, which definehumates, and combinations thereof. It is appreciated that humics andhumate salts are naturally occurring substances that as a result, varyin relative ratios of component parts.

It is to be understood that in instances where a range of values areprovided herein, that the range is intended to encompass not only theend point values of the range, but also intermediate values of the rangeas explicitly being included within the range and varying by the lastsignificant figure of the range. By way of example, a recited range offrom 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4.

The present invention relates to a water-dispersible particle fordelivery of humics, and biochar to a plant or to the soil. The inventivegranule provides improved storage capabilities for materials improvingthe quality of the delivered material and decreasing negative storageconsequences such as odor emanation or degradation. The resultingparticles are amenable to broadcast application, for example via rotaryor drop spreader. In some inventive embodiments, the resulting particlesupon dispersion have a pH of between 3.3 and 8.1.

It is appreciated that control of the water dispersibility of aninventive particle is dictated by a property of at least one particlecomponent, other properties being water solubility, water swellability,and water induced effervescence. It is appreciated that a component thatinteracts with water to disperse the particle into constituted granulesis present in a quantity and distribution consistent with induction ofdispersion. By way of example, a substance forming a matrix such as awater interactive binder is operative at amounts of greater than 0.7total particle weight percent. binder substances that constitute inexcess of 0.7 total particle weight percent are sufficient to inducedispersion.

The invention further relates to a method for making and using thewater-dispersible particle. An inventive particle retains its size andshape during handling and application to a desired area and dissolves orcrumbles into constituent granules upon contact with a water overspraywithin 12 hours. Thus, the durability of the particle allows delivery ofthe particle to the vicinity of the desired site of action whereuponcontact with water sufficient to wet the particle surface causesdispersion of particle components, facilitating distribution of theactive agents to the target.

The term “dispersion” in the context of the present invention isintended to mean that an inventive particle disperses by breaking intonumerous smaller pieces that are synonymously referred to herein asgranules, not directed to solubilization, upon contact with water. Insome embodiments, an inventive particle disperses by breaking up intogreater than 100 smaller pieces upon contact with water over a period oftime ranging from 1 second to 24 hours. Optionally, an inventiveparticle disperses into 1,000 to 10,000 smaller pieces over a period oftime ranging from 1 second to 24 hours, optionally 1 second to 12 hours.Optionally, a particle disperses into 100 to 10,000 or even more than10⁶ smaller pieces over a period of 30 seconds to 6 hours. In someinventive embodiments, a particle disperses as described over a periodof 1 minute to 1 hour.

The ability of the inventive material to degrade with water contact isgenerally measured in a water dispersibility test. The test involvesplacing about 10 grams of the inventive material into 100 ml of water atroom temperature (20° C.) in a closed glass container. The container isthen inverted and the time is observed until the material disperses.After every minute, the container is inverted. The inventive material ofthe present invention has a dispersibility time of generally less than15 minutes, in some inventive embodiments, in a period of less than 5minutes, and in still other inventive embodiments, a period of less than2 minutes. The inventive particle provides a delivery system forcontrolled of biochar and humics, and in some embodiments along withoptional additional agents such as pesticides, hormones, herbicides,micronutrients and other active ingredients.

A finished, water dispersible granule of an inventive combination issized for broadcast distribution. The grind size of the pieces of humicsand biochar are important in achieving dense particles. Mesh sizes asreferred to herein are U.S. standard sieve sizes per ASTM E11:01 where apositive (+) sign denotes material that does not pass a given mesh,while a negative (−) sign denotes material that passes through a givenmesh.

The constituent granules of humics are typically sized to have less than5 weight percent being +40 mesh and more than 20 weight percent being−100 mesh. In still other inventive embodiments, the humics are 100weight percent being −40 mesh. In still other inventive embodiments,greater than 40 weight percent of the humics are −100 mesh weightpercent. In still other inventive embodiments, greater than 60 weightpercent of the humics are −100 mesh weight percent. In still otherinventive embodiments, greater than 5 weight percent of the humics are−200 mesh weight percent. In still other inventive embodiments, greaterthan 30 weight percent of the humics are −200 mesh weight percent.

The constituent granules of biochar are typically sized to have lessthan 5 weight percent being +40 mesh and more than 20 weight percentbeing −100 mesh. In still other inventive embodiments, the biochar are100 weight percent being −40 mesh. In still other inventive embodiments,greater than 40 weight percent of the biochar are −100 mesh weightpercent. In still other inventive embodiments, greater than 60 weightpercent of the biochar are −100 mesh weight percent. In still otherinventive embodiments, greater than 5 weight percent of the biochar are−200 mesh weight percent. In still other inventive embodiments, greaterthan 30 weight percent of the biochar are −200 mesh weight percent.

Typical loadings of biochar in an inventive particle range from 5 to 80by total weight of the dry weight of the inventive particle and definesa weight ratio relative to humics 0.05-4.0:1 biochar:humics. Withoutintending to be bound to a particular theory, the friable nature ofbiochar compared to humics is mitigated to yield an attrition resistantinventive particle by grinding the humics to include at least 5 weightpercent of −200 mesh humics that can filler interstices between largergranules of humics and biochar.

A binder component is present in an inventive particle in an amountranging from 0.7 to 20 percent by total weight of the dry weight of theinventive particle. In a further embodiment, the binder component ispresent in an amount ranging from 0.9 to 10 percent by weight of the dryweight of the inventive particle. A binder component is included in aparticle as necessary to produce or promote cohesion in forming aparticle capable of retaining a specified form during transport and/ordistribution and inhibits the dusting and attrition associated withprior art products.

A binder component operative herein includes bentonite clay,carbohydrate, protein, lipid, synthetic polymer, glycolipid,glycoprotein, lipoprotein, lignin, a lignin derivative, acarbohydrate-based composition, and a combination thereof. Carbohydratebinder components operative herein illustratively include amonosaccharide, a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide, a polysaccharide andcombinations thereof. Specific carbohydrate binders illustrativelyinclude glucose, mannose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose,maltose, xylose, arabinose, trehalose and mixtures thereof such as cornsyrup; celluloses such as carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose,hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxy-methylethylcellulose,hydroxyethylpropylcellulose, methylhydroxyethyl-cellulose,methylcellulose; starches such as amylose, seagel, starch acetates,starch hydroxyethyl ethers, ionic starches, long-chain alkyl starches,dextrins, amine starches, phosphates starches, and dialdehyde starches;plant starches such as corn starch and potato starch; othercarbohydrates such as pectin, amylopectin, xylan, glycogen, agar,alginic acid, phycocolloids, chitin, gum arabic, guar gum, gum karaya,gum tragacanth locust bean gum, and complex carbohydrate-basedcompositions containing organic and inorganic ingredients such asmolasses. Oil binder components operative herein illustratively includevegetable oils such as corn, soybean, peanut, canola, olive and cottonseed. Lignin binder components operative herein include a lignin andnitrolignin; derivatives of lignin such as lignosulfonate saltsillustratively including calcium lignosulfonate and sodiumlignosulfonate and complex carbohydrate-based compositions containingorganic and inorganic ingredients such as molasses. Suitable proteinbinders operative herein illustratively include soy extract, zein,protamine, collagen, and casein. Binders operative herein also includesynthetic organic polymers capable of promoting or producing cohesion ofparticle components and such binders illustratively include ethyleneoxide polymers, polyacrylamides, polyacrylates, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylmethyl ether, polyvinylacrylates, polylactic acid, and latex. In specific inventiveembodiments, the binder component is a lignin derivative and in stillother inventive embodiments is calcium lignosulfonate. In otherinventive embodiments, the binder component is molasses, a liquid cornstarch, a liquid corn syrup, or a combination thereof. It is appreciatedthat a water soluble or water swellable binder is particularly wellsuited to impart water dispersibility to an inventive particle.

The particles of the present invention in some inventive embodimentsalso include an active ingredient, while in other inventive embodimentsno active ingredient is present. Illustrative examples of activeingredients include fertilizers, soil nutrients, amendment materials,and biostimulants. A powdered or liquid active ingredient is recognizedto be operative herein. It will be recognized by those skilled in theart that more than one active ingredient may be incorporated into theparticle and that the choice of active ingredient or combination ofactive ingredients will depend on the intended purpose of the particleand the chemical compatibility of the ingredients and other particlescomponents. An active ingredient, if present, is included in an amountranging from 0.05 to 10 percent by weight of the total dry weight of theparticle, and the total amount of active ingredients typically are fromup to 18 weight percent of the total dry weight of the particle. It isappreciated active ingredients present in a coating on the particle areconsidered part of the total particle.

Fertilizers are substances containing one of the plant nutrientsnitrogen, phosphate, or potassium and illustratively include urea,sulfur-coated urea, isobutylidene diurea, ammonium nitrate, ammoniumsulfate, ammonium phosphate, triple super phosphate, phosphoric acid,potassium sulphate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassiummetaphosphate, potassium chloride, dipotassium carbonate, potassiumoxide, and a combination of these. These and other fertilizers as activeingredients delivered by the inventive particles are readily intermixedto achieve a variety of levels of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium, ascommonly referred to as an N-P-K rating for the fertilizer.

Soil nutrients illustratively include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron,manganese, copper, zinc; oxides thereof, salts thereof, and combinationsof the aforementioned. It is appreciated that humics are well suited tochelate soil nutrient metal ions.

Amendment materials are natural organic products such as blood meal,bone meal, seed meal, feather meal, and soy meal; meat meal; animalwaste from various animal sources; activated sludge, hydrolyzed animalhair; fish byproducts; compost; and a combination thereof.

Biostimulants are substances that promote plant survival and health andillustratively include plant growth hormones and plant growth regulatorssuch as cytokinins, auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, absisic acid, and acombination of these.

A pH modifier is added in some embodiments to titrate a given mixture ofhumics and biochar to a desired pH after dispersion. It is appreciatedthat as both humics and biochar are naturally derived materials, theintrinsic pH of these components is variable. pH modifiers operativeherein illustratively include soda ash, sodium hydroxide, sodiumsilicate, sodium phosphates, lime, and sulfuric acid. In someembodiments, a pH modifier is present in an amount to achieve adispersion pH of 3.3 and 8.1. It is appreciated that the native pH ofboth humics and biochar are variable and by selecting sources of eachfor a given ratio, a desired particle pH is obtained with little or noaddition of pH modifier.

An active ingredient is readily formulated within, or on the surface ofan inventive particle or both within the particle and decorating thesurface thereof. An active ingredient is readily incorporated into aninventive particle regardless of whether in the active ingredient is inthe form of granules, powders, or a liquid. It is appreciated that anactive ingredient is readily compounded with inner fillers, dust controlaids, flow aids, solvents, surfactants that are used alone or incombination with other active ingredients as part of an inventiveparticle to promote particle formation and stabilization of the activeingredient.

The particles of the present invention have a mean particle domain sizethat ranges from 0.1 mm to 30 mm. In specific embodiments, the meanparticle domain size ranges from 0.25 mm to 20 mm while in still otherembodiments the mean particle domain size ranges from 0.5 mm to 15 mm.Typical densities of the inventive particles range from 29 to 47 poundsper cubic foot. In some inventive embodiments, the densities range from34 to 45 pounds per cubic foot.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an inventive particle is shown generally at10. The particle 10 contains biochar granules 12 depicted graphically asfilled triangles and humics 14 depicted graphically as open circles thatare adhered by binder 16 that forms a matrix that defined a particlesurface 18 with a particle radius, r. Optionally, active ingredient 20is present in the binder matrix 16 as granules or a solute in binder 16,or a combination thereof. A surface coating 22 is optionally provided onthe particle surface 18 that in some embodiments contains an activeingredient 20′. The coating 22 has a thickness, t that defined linearratio r:t that is between 0.001-3:1. Optionally, the active ingredient20 in the binder matrix 16 is a different active ingredient 20′ relativeto that in the coating 22 as a solute or granulate. Optionally, anadhesive coating 24 overlies the coating 24 with a thickness d. In someembodiments, the linear ratio r:d is between 0.1-10:1.

An active agent powder 20″ adhered to an inventive particle includes anyconventional active agent formulated as a powder. Effectively, anyconventional active agent powder is operative within the presentinvention.

The coating 22 is included to provide a harder outer shell relative toan inventive particle. The coating material is added directly to thedried, finished particles and enhances the strength of the particles toprevent degradation. A typical coating material is polyvinyl alcohol orpolyacrylic acid. However, other coating compositions capable ofstrengthening the granules without adversely affecting the desireddispersal properties are suitable for use with the present invention.

Formation of an inventive particle readily occurs through panagglomeration of granular biochar and humics with a binder and, ifpresent, an active ingredient intermixed therewith. It is appreciatedthat humics and biochar are added as pre-sized powders or are milledtogether prior to combination with a binder. An active ingredientreadily coated onto the particle surface with resort to a coatingcontaining the active ingredient or a granular or powdered activeingredient is adhered to the particle surface with resort to anunderlying adhesive coating on the particle surface. Such adhesivecoatings are readily formed on a particle surface using one of theaforementioned binders that is sprayed or otherwise coated onto theparticle surface.

The mixing of the biochar and humic components may occur in either abatch or continuous mixing process. Conventional mixing devices aresuitable for use with the present invention. During the mixing step, thebinder composition is optionally added to the mixture as a solution.Optionally, at least part of the water soluble binder may be added tothe pelletizing apparatus during pelletizing. Additional water, up toabout 15 percent by weight, may be necessary for agglomeration of thematerials in the inventive composition.

The binder is generally added to the composition as a solution. Thesolution is typically provided as a water-based slurry having about 40to 50 percent solids by weight and weighing about 10 pounds per gallon.The binder may also be added and mixed with the other dry ingredients,subsequently mixing in an amount of water.

The admixture is then fed into a pelletizing apparatus to produce themanufactured granules of the present invention. Conventional pelletizingequipment is suitable for use in producing the particle. Optionally,pelletizing equipment is an agglomeration pan. Additionally, drumgranulators or other types of granulation equipment may be used toproduce the granules of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, the operation of anagglomeration pan may vary with the specific formulation or ingredientsin order to produce a particle with the preferred properties. Forexample, feed rates and locations of the admixture or the water, theangle of the pan, the speed of rotation of the disc, or the depth of thepan may be varied to produce the desired product. One skilled in the artof pelletizing is capable of recognizing the variables and makingadjustments to obtain the inventive granules in particle form.

The inventive particles are then dried to a temperature of from about115 to about 150° C. to remove excess water utilized during theagglomeration of the components. The particle is dried to a totalmoisture content of 8% or less in accordance with ASTM standard D 5033Volume 11.04. The particles optionally have total moisture content of 5total weight percent or less. The upper temperature limitation duringthe drying step prevents the degradation or burning of the organicbinder. The particles are optionally dried in conventional drying unitssuch as, for example, a fluid bed dryer, or a rotary dryer.

The resulting granular material is then screened to remove oversized andundersized particles. The improperly sized material is optionallyrecycled to the mixing stage or milled to the appropriate size andrescreened. In some inventive embodiments, the finished product issprayed with a lightweight mineral oil to further prevent dusting of theproduct in bulk form.

The ability of the particles of the present invention to degrade withwater is optionally measured in a water dispersability test. The testinvolves placing about 10 grams of the granular material into 100 ml ofwater at room temperature in a closed glass container. The container isthen inverted and the time is observed until the material completelydisperses. After every minute, the container is inverted. The granulesof the present invention optionally have a dispersability time of lessthan 3 minutes. The pH of the resulting suspension is measured to definea particle pH.

The strength of the particles is determined through the crush strengthtest, ASTM E 382 Volume 3.06, and resistance to attrition (RTA) test,ASTM E 728-91 Volume 11.04. In some inventive embodiments, manufacturedparticles of the present invention have a crush strength between 2 and 6pounds on an 8 mesh (2.38 mm) particle. Additionally, the particles insome inventive embodiments have an RTA value of at least 85%.

The resulting particles of the present invention in some inventiveembodiments have a smooth surface and are spherical in shape. Thespherocity lends to desired flow characteristics of the granules in bulkform. The angle of repose is a test utilized to measure the ability ofparticles to flow in bulk form. The test is conducted on a 14×30 meshsample. The particles of the present invention optionally all have anangle of repose of 35 degrees or less.

Embodiments of the inventive particle promote the growth of targeteddesirable organisms illustratively including cultivated plants such aslawn grass, crops, flowers, shrubs, trees, and bushes.

The particles of the present invention have minimal dust as measured bysmoke meter opacity compared to conventional forms of biochar withhumics.

The particles of the present invention are administered to a targetplant species to produce a desired effect directly on the plant, topromote the health of the soil biome in which the plant is growing.Particles are administered by a method that delivers the particles tothe vicinity of the plant.

Various aspects of the present invention are illustrated by thefollowing nonlimiting examples. The examples are for illustrativepurposes and are not a limitation on any practice of the presentinvention. It will be understood that variations and modifications canbe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Using a pan agglomeration disc, a binder of calcium lignosulfonate in anamount of 15 grams is applied to a mixture of ground biochar granuleshaving a size of less than 250 microns and a pH of 7.1. To the 15 gramsof ground biochar is added 85 grams of humics and a pH of 3.5. Theagglomeration disc is operated and adjusted to generate the desiredparticle distribution of particles before the particles are conveyed toa fluid bed dryer. The particles are dried at a temperature of 45° C. toa moisture content of less than 0.5%. The particles are then separatedinto various size categories using conventional gyroscopic screeners.The particles had an average diameter of 1 mm with 90% by weight of theparticles being in the size range of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm and a pH of3.8.

The process of Example 1 is repeated with a like sized biochar having anative pH of 11.2 with similar particles being formed except that the pHof the resulting particles is 6.2

Comparative Example

Like amounts of biochar and humics are intermixed to form a powder withmean sizes of from 2 to 4 mm to limit dusting and without forming aparticle per Example 1. FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of turf withthis powder at an amount of 19.5 grams per square meter. Little to nodownward movement of the biochar is shown with much of the biocharretained in the thatch layer or sitting on top of the soil layer.

Example 3

The particles of Example 1 are spread onto turf in an amount of 19.5grams per square meter. As shown in FIG. 2B within ten minutes of a rainevent, irrigation, or wetting through sufficient soil moisture, theparticles have completely dispersed, and biochar and humics of theparticles have completely passed through the grass blades, and withindays start to enter the soil and the rhizomes of the overlying grassplants. Over a season, the turf mass is greater than that treated perthe Comparative Example on a dried basis.

Any patents or publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. These patents and publications are hereinincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individualpublication was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the endsand advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The presentmethods, procedures, treatments, molecules, and specific compoundsdescribed herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments,are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of theinvention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled inthe art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention asdefined by the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A water-dispersible material formed ofparticles, the particles comprising: biochar granules present from 5 to80 percent by total weight of the dry weight of the particles; humicgranules present in an amount to define a weight ratio of from 0.05 to4.0:1 of the biochar granules to the humic granules; a water-solublebinder component present from 0.7 to 20 percent by total weight by dryweight of the inventive particle and forming a matrix retaining thebiochar granules and the humic granules together to from the particlehaving a mean particle domain size; the biochar granules, the humicgranules, and the binder component being present in the particles in aform such that contact with water causes particle dispersion into morethan 100 pieces of biochar in a time period of up to 12 hours and theparticles have a density of from 29 to 47 pounds per cubic foot.
 2. Thematerial of claim 1 wherein the humic granules are sized to have lessthan 5 weight percent being +40 mesh and more than 20 weight percentbeing −100 mesh.
 3. The material of claim 2 wherein the humic granulesare 100 weight percent −40 mesh.
 4. The material of claim 2 wherein thehumic granules have greater than 40 weight percent −100 mesh.
 5. Thematerial of claim 2 wherein the humic granules are greater than 60weight percent −100 mesh weight percent.
 6. The material of claim 1wherein the biochar granules are sized to have less than 5 weightpercent being +40 mesh and more than 20 weight percent being −100 mesh.7. The material of claim 6 wherein the biochar granules are 100 weightpercent −40 mesh.
 8. The material of claim 1 wherein each of theparticles disperses upon contact with water into at least from about 100pieces to 1,000 pieces in a time period of less 24 hours.
 9. Thematerial of claim 8 wherein each of the particles disperses upon contactwith water into from at least 100 to 1,000 pieces in a time period ofless than 15 minutes.
 10. The material of claim 1 wherein the particleseach further comprise a coating having a hardness greater than theparticle.
 11. The material of 10 further comprising an active ingredientin the coating.
 12. The material of claim 1 wherein the mean particledomain size ranges from 0.1 mm to 30 mm.
 13. The material of claim 1wherein the binder component is lignin, bentonite clay, carbohydrate,protein, lipid, synthetic polymer, glycolipid, glycoprotein,lipoprotein, or combinations thereof.
 14. The material of claim 1wherein the binder component is calcium lignosulfonate.
 15. The materialof claim 1 wherein a dispersion of the particles has a pH of between 3.3and 8.1.
 16. The material of claim 1 further comprising at least oneactive ingredient.
 17. The material of claim 1 further comprising afiller.
 18. A water-dispersible material formed of particles, theparticles comprising: biochar granules present from 5 to 80 percent bytotal weight of the dry weight of the particles; humic granules presentin an amount to define a weight ratio of from 0.05 to 4.0:1 of thebiochar granules to the humic granules; a water-soluble binder componentconsisting of a carbohydrate, a protein, a lipid, a synthetic polymer, aglycolipid, a glycoprotein, a lipoprotein, a lignin, a ligninderivative, a carbohydrate-based composition, an oil, or a combinationthereof forming a matrix retaining the biochar granules and the humicgranules together to from the particle having a mean particle domainsize; the biochar granules, the humic granules, and the binder componentbeing present in the particles in a form such that contact with watercauses particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces of biochar in atime period of up to 12 hours and the particles have a density of from29 to 47 pounds per cubic foot.
 19. The material of claim 18 furthercomprising a filler.